The Iowa State University Agronomy Department was presented with an $80 million endowment. Clearly, this opportunity calls for something more than business as usual. This unique gift will allow the Agronomy Department to stretch far beyond the boundaries set by traditional funding sources. It will foster innovation, creativity and engagement.

An extensive strategic planning process was undertaken to ensure this gift will be used wisely. A mission statement was created:

"We will develop and foster the use of technology to improve the well-being of people involved in agriculture, and of those who depend on agriculture."

This broad mission statement means that everyone has a stake in the Agronomy Department's strategic plan.

To implement the goals laid out in our "Path to the Future," four initiatives have been created to address issues critical to agriculture's future. Our progress will be charted on this site.